Collapsible ice cream can



1386- 1941- P. F. CHRISTIANSON COLLAPSIBLE ICE CREAM CAN Filed Nov. 9, 1939 IIIIl/IIIIIIIIIIIlI/IIIIA UNITED sr'i'ss Patented Dec. 16, 1941 2 Claims.

This-invention relates to containers, more particularly to ice cream containers or cans in which ice cream is furnished in wholesale quantities to dispensers to the public, and aims to provide primarily a can of such construction that, as the ice cream is gradually removed from the top, the bottom of the can is raised. In this way the necessity for the server to dig deep into the can, which is the case with the common type of can when the can is nearly or partly empty, is eliminated, and the level of the ice cream is always conveniently within reach, no matter how much or how little ice cream remains in the can. The sanitary features of such a can, in addition to the practical convenience to the server, are obvious.

The above and other objects will become apparent in the description below, in which the characters of reference refer to similarly-numbered parts in the accompanying drawing.

Referring briefly to the drawing, Figure l is a perspective view of the can.-

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary elevational view, showing the bottom in an elevated position.

Referring in detail to the drawing, the numeral it! represents a base having two diametrically opposed uprights ll secured thereto. An annular band I2 surrounds, and is secured to, the upper ends of these uprights. The inner opposed surfaces of the uprights H are provided with vertically spaced rack teeth Ila; hence the uprights II may be termed mutually opposed. vertical racks.

Also secured to the inner sides of the uprights H, are a pair of opposed sockets or trunnions l3 in which the lower extremities of vertical shafts or rods are rotatably guided. Each rod [4 is provided with a longitudinal slot or key way [5, in which the key, not shown, of a worm I6 is slidable. The Worms [6 are slidably mounted on the rods M.

A disc I! provides the bottom of the can, and is provided with two diametrically opposed openings through which the rods [4 pass. This disc is situated between the worms l6 and the trunnions l3. A coiled spring I8 is mounted between the base It] and the disc I! and normally urges the latter upward against the worms l6, and the worms l6 are in mesh with the racks I l. The upper extremities of the rods M are provided with knurled handles l9, and the upper ends of these rods are also rotatably supported in trunnions 20 secured to the uprights.

A filled telescopic container 22 similar to a collapsible drinking cup, is placed on the can bottom H, with the lowermost segment 2| (whose bottom is closed) of the container resting on the member I'l. Ice cream is supplied to the dealer in the container 22, whose segments are extended, as shown in Figure 2, when the con tainer is full. The tension of the spring I8 is suflicient to retain the bottom I! with the full container supported thereon in a position elevated above the trunnions l3. Oppositely disposed pivoted lugs 23 are provided on the band i2, which are swung back against the band while the full container is being inserted and are swung over the uppermost segment of the container after the latter is in position. Thus the lugs 23, in the latter position, prevent upward movement of the uppermost segment.

The operation of the device is as follows. Assuming that the container shown in Figure 2 is full, it is a simple matter for the server to scoop the ice cream from the top. When an amount equal to the volume of the uppermost segment 24 has been removed from the container, the level of ice cream therein is again brought to the top of the can by rotating the handles 19 in a direction which will cause the worms Hi to rise. As the worms rise, the pressure of the spring I8 will raise the bottom I! a similar distance. Since the uppermost segment 24 of the container is prevented by the lugs 23 from rising the next lower segment 25 will telescope into the uppermost segment, thus again bringing the ice cream level to the top. This operation is repeated until the container has been emptied and, consequently, completely collapsed. The collapsed container is easily removed after the lugs 23 have been swung clear. To prepare the device to receive another full container, the worms I I are again restored to the positions shown in Figure 2. For the sake of convenience and to aid the operator in restoring the worms to the proper position to receive a full container, some sort of marking, not shown, may be provided on the rods l4 near their lower ends.

Obviously, modifications in form and structure may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A device of the character described comprising a base having upright supports secured thereto, each of said supports having a trunnion at its upper end and a trunnion near its lower end, vertical rods rotatably supported in said trunnions adjacent each of said uprights, a band secured to and encircling the upper ends of said uprights, vertically spaced rack teeth on said uprights, worms slidably mounted on said rods in engagement with said rack teeth, said rods having key ways and said worms having keys slidably engaging said key ways, a disc mounted between said worms and said lower trunnions, said disc having openings therethrough, said rods passing through said openings, a coiled spring mounted between said base and said disc and normally urging said disc upward against said worms, said disc being adapted to have a filled segmented telescopic container set thereon, handles on said rods adapted to be rotated to rotate said rods to elevate said worms and thus to cause said spring to lift said disc.

2. A device of the character described comprising a base having upright supports secured thereto, each of said supports having a trunnion at its upper end and a trunnion near its lower secured to and encircling the upper ends of said uprights, vertically spaced rack teeth on said uprights, worms slidably mounted on said rods in engagement with said rack teeth, said rods having key ways and said worms having keys slidably engaging said key ways, a disc mounted between said worms and said lower trunnions, said disc having openings therethrough, said rods passing through said openings, a coiled spring mounted between said base and said disc and normally urging said disc upward against said worms, said disc being adapted to have a filled segmented telescopic container set thereon, handles on said rods adapted to be rotated to rotate said .rods to elevate said worms and thus to cause said spring to lift said disc, said band having pivoted lugs secured to the inner side thereof,

said lugs being adapted to be swung into radial position to extend over the uppermost segment of said container to hold said uppermost segment stationary during said lifting of said disc.

PETER F. CHRISTIANSON. 

